East Brookfield voters replenish depleted town accounts

Despite a snowstorm, residents here turned out for a 10-item special town meeting Monday night and approved all articles, which included various requests to restock town accounts with money.

The session was originally slated for Jan. 7, but had to be postponed until Monday because one of the required notices announcing the session was not posted outside the Memorial Town Complex.

Voters approved adding $9,400 to the veterans services account to cover expected expenses until June 30, end of the fiscal year.

The account was intentionally under-funded last year because there were minimal expenses expected, but suddenly two claims were made for veterans’ benefits and they quickly depleted the account.

In the interim, the town’s Finance Committee had taken money from the town’s reserve fund, which is set aside for unexpected expenses, to cover the costs associated with the new veterans’ claims. The action Monday night will fund those ongoing expenses through June, according to John Rossi of the Finance Committee.

Also Monday night, residents approved $8,000 each for the life and health insurance account and the property liability insurance account along with $6,000 for the police equipment maintenance account.

The Police Department recently spent an unspecified sum on an expensive transmission repair on one of its vehicles, requiring this request to replenish the maintenance account, according to Selectman Leo E. Fayard.

Also approved was $2,000 for the Highway Department vehicle repairs account and $2,000 for the Highway Department vehicle supplies account.